Damon Helps Royals Steal a Victory

L.A. Times Archives

Aug. 27, 1997 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

The Kansas City Royals literally stole a victory from the Baltimore Orioles.

Pinch-runner Johnny Damon stole two bases in the ninth inning and scored the go-ahead run on a groundout as the Royals ended a five-game losing streak by beating Baltimore 5-4 Tuesday night at Baltimore.

Brady Anderson hit a grand slam and Cal Ripken had three hits for the Orioles, who had won five straight and nine of 10. The loss cut Baltimore’s lead in the AL East to six games over the New York Yankees, who defeated Oakland.

Jay Bell and Chili Davis hit consecutive homers in the first off Jimmy Key, and the Royals led 4-0 in the fourth before Baltimore pulled even on Anderson’s second career grand slam.

The score remained 4-4 until the ninth. Jermaine Dye led off with a single off Armando Benitez (3-4) and was replaced by Damon, who promptly stole second. After a fly out, Damon stole third and scored on a slow bouncer to shortstop by Jed Hansen.

“We let guys run on their own at certain times,” Royal Manager Tony Muser said. “He could have gotten thrown out at second, he could have gotten thrown out at third. Maybe next time he doesn’t make it, but it will be a learning experience.”

Coming into the game, Damon had 10 stolen bases and been caught nine times.

“I need to learn how to steal bases now. That’s why Tony has a no-worry attitude. He’s confident in me,” Damon said. “A player needs to be able to have the green light.”

The steals were as much off Benitez as catcher Chris Hoiles, whose throws were not nearly on time.

“Armando’s not the slowest, but he’s not the quickest. A power pitcher, you can read,” Oriole Manager Davey Johnson said.

Seattle 8, Boston 2--Jamie Moyer set a career high with his 14th win and Roberto Kelly drove in three runs at Seattle.

Moyer (14-4) pitched a seven-hitter for his second complete game of the season, striking out eight to match his season high and walking one. He is 20-6 since Seattle acquired him from Boston on July 30, 1996.

It was Moyer’s first complete-game victory since an eight-hitter for Baltimore in the Kingdome on Aug. 18, 1993.

Boston rookie Nomar Garciaparra stretched his hitting streak to 28 games, the second longest in the major leagues this season.

Kelly homered for the second time in six games since Seattle acquired him from Minnesota on Aug. 20, connecting for a two-run shot in the first inning. Kelly also had an RBI double that capped a four-run sixth.

Chicago 8, Toronto 5--Frank Thomas had three hits and reached the 30-home run plateau for the sixth time in seven seasons as the White Sox dwon at Toronto.

Thomas followed a bunt single by Dave Martinez with a line-shot to left-center off Marty Janzen for his 30th home run and 500th career extra-base hit to give Chicago a 7-3 lead in the sixth.

Thomas doubled with two outs in the first and scored on Albert Belle’s single.

Milwaukee 11, Texas 10--Fernando Vina singled home the winning run in the 12th inning to lift the Brewers to a wild victory at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee (66-65) won for the ninth time in 12 games to climb above .500 for the first time since Aug. 4.

Bryan Eversgerd (0-1), recalled from the minors, gave up a leadoff triple to Mike Matheny and Vina followed with a single to right.

Doug Jones (5-5) got six outs, sending Texas to its third straight loss and eighth in 11 games.

Minnesota 8, Detroit 2--Rich Robertson won for the first time in 10 starts since June 14 as the Twins recorded their second win in 16 games at Minneapolis.

Robertson (8-12), who had lost eight consecutive decisions since a victory over Houston on June 14, set a career best for victories, topping his 7-17 record in 1996. He gave up one run and four hits in 7 2/3 innings, striking out a season-high nine, one short of his career high.

Justin Thompson (11-10) gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and one walk.

Chuck Knoblauch extended his hitting streak to 18 with a leadoff single and scored on a single by Paul Molitor. Ron Coomer, who went three-for-four with two RBIs, had another run-scoring single later in the first for a 2-0 lead.

Knoblauch also stole his 50th base of the season in the first, passing Rod Carew to set a Twins’ season record.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Roberto Kelly

Team: Seattle

Performance: 2 for 5, 2-run home run, RBI double

Team’s Result: Win

Player: Tino Martinez

Team: New York

Performance: 3 for 5, 3-run home run, double

Team’s Result: Win